Monday, June 25, 2012

Camping for the First Time

There was a time when Justin and I would pack up a couple of backpacks with everything we needed for a few days and hit the backwoods of Algonquin, hiking to parts unknown. We had some pretty wonderful adventures during our backpacking days and enjoyed them immensely. In the few years before we became parents we did some camping closer to home taking the dogs along with us. But in the last three and half years the tents and all of our camping gear has sat in our closet until last week...I decided it was time to take Reece camping. So we packed up the car, asked my niece to join us and the three of us were off.

He was a little excited when we arrived

Beautiful meadows surrounded us

Our site, there are two little ones playing in there

I chose to head out at this time mainly because school is still in which means the campground midweek would be very quiet, and it was. We pretty much had the whole place to ourselves. We had a great time, even when Mother Nature had plans to freak us out with thunder storms, not once but twice. We played, we hiked, we spent an afternoon at the beach and we had a ton of fun.

Checking out the temperature

Playing in some of those puddles Mother Nature left behind

Gorgeous views at the top of our hike

Hiking down through more beauty

We found a friend

Beautiful and so peaceful

Fun at the beach

Reece and his cousin, Aubry. He really loves her.

Playing in the sand

I think it is safe to say camping will be a regular part of our future, Reece loved it and can't wait to camp again!

38 comments:

We just camped with our crew for the first time a few weeks ago and are heading out soon for a full week of camping. It's amazing how long our gear has been sitting in the basement - sometimes I miss just being able to throw some things in a bag and head into the woods. I'm so glad we're getting back into it! It looks like you all had a GREAT time!

Yay for camping with kids! We've had Zinnia out since she was 6 weeks old. I think in many ways it has already had a positive affect on her and how she shows up in the world. There's something so satisfying about a dirty, worn-out kid who isn't afraid of a little tumble, being a bit chilly or sleeping in a new place. Looks like you had a great trip! And so nice to be by water! What did Justin do with himself with you guys gone?

Justin had a lovely little list of things to do while we were gone :) I am camping with Reece for a week on my own in August at the Art of Mentoring camp, so I want to do a few solo trips with him so we can both get used to it. I think it is safe to say we will be just fine.

He was okay with the thunderstorms, actually slept through the one we had during the night. He doesn't like the wind, which was really strong on the afternoon when we got back from the beach. The wind picked up, the clouds flew in and then the rain and thunder. He hid out in the car :)

Meals, let's see...carrot soup with hummus and crackers for lunch on Monday, dinner was quesadillas and salad/raw vegetables. Breakfast on Tuesday was scrambled eggs, toast and fresh fruit, lunch was hummus veggie sandwiches, and dinner was quinoa pasta with homemade sauce and salad/raw vegetables. We had scrambled eggs, toast and fresh fruit before coming home on Wednesday. We snacked on homemade muffins, fruit leathers, guacamole and crackers, fresh fruit and nuts and seeds.

It's funny how much camping changes with each stage. I used to be an avid backpacker and I was just talking with Aaron about how much Audrey is going to love backpacking when Gray's a bit bigger. She adores hiking and would camp outdoors forever if we let her. So glad you had fun.

I am so glad he loved it. When we drove across country last year we camped the whole trip. Essentially we spent 2.5 months outside. When we arrived home, no one wanted to go inside! My littles have been asking when we are going camping next. Isn't it great when they feel so connected to nature?!

When I read about the thunderstorms, I was reminded that I had read somewhere to always bring rain boots when you camp with kids, then the getting rained on part becomes part of the adventure and doesn't leave you feeling bummed. Then I saw the picture of those two cousins celebrating in the puddles that mother nature left behind! WOOT!!

Yikes, not fun! We had to get through two thunderstorms, one at night and one in the afternoon, but no leaks, thank goodness. Camping is an adventure with kiddos, actually life with kiddos is an adventure :)

Welcome to Mothering with Mindfulness. My name is Kim, Waldorf inspired homeschooling mama to one, writer, nature lover, dreamer, and lover of all things handmade. This is my space. A space to share with you my journey through motherhood, as I walk along the path of simple, mindful living. I invite you to join me as I learn and grow.